Aria’s POV
My limbs stopped shaking. The splitting headache dulled to a hum. I felt… cool.
“I’m scared,” I admitted.
“I know,” Whitee replied. “But you’re stronger than they ever made you believe.”
Outside, the energy was different. I could feel the scent of my people. I knew they were my people… cozy, warm, and harsh all at once. There was no feeling of the bond. That was dead and gone. This was older—like the connection to myself. To the family I’d lost long ago.
My wolf.
And she had a name.
Whitee.
“Tell me…” I turned to find an empty space where the lady had been. She had vanished. “Whitee?”
“Albena.”
I jumped.
“You took your time,” her voice teased gently inside my head.
Oh… so this was the mind link stuff? I let out a broken laugh, wiping my tears with the bac
